Mike Tyson disappointed he won't get to visit New Zealand

Mike Tyson addresses the media during a visit to London where he's… (Justin Tallis / AFP / Getty…)

Mike Tyson, who had his visa revoked by New Zealand on Wednesday, had hoped to visit the country's Maori people, who inspired his facial tattoo.

Instead, the former heavyweight boxing champion turned performer can only wax poetic about his past troubles and what he must deal with in the aftermath.

"The people wanted me to come," said Tyson, who was to perform his one-man act in Auckland in November. "I just wanted to go down there and just have a show.

"Unfortunately that had to happen. It's one of those things in life that happens. It's life on life's terms and everyone has to deal with that and those uncertainties."

Tyson, who is a convicted rapist, has been taking his act, "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth," around the world. He had been looking forward to meeting New Zealand's indigenous people, who for centuries have been tattooing their bodies, from head to feet.

"Anything that I would have got away from -- being in prison, having fights, biting [Evander] Holyfield, lack of that -- my life would be miserable,” Tyson said of the lessons he learned that helped shape his character.